Leeds United transfer news: Phil Hay shares update amid Pantelis Chatzidiakos talks and Nat Phillips interest from Liverpool
The Leeds United pursuit of AZ Alkmaar defender Pantelis Chatzidiakos seems “a bit cold” at the moment, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist relayed the response he got to asking about the 26-year-old on The Square Ball on Monday (7 August), with the Whites also interested in Liverpool’s Nat Phillips, apparently without much action.
Daniel Farke wants a centre-back after Max Wober left, and then saw captain Liam Cooper injured in the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on Sunday (6 August), but although Spor Time reported a £2million-plus bid for Chatzidiakos on Sunday, with the Greek international accepting an Elland Road move, Hay has provided a deflating update.
He said on Monday night (22m 10s): “I did ask a question about him this morning. Seemed a bit cold on that front. We know there is the interest in Nat Phillips at Liverpool but as of this morning there didn’t seem to have been much in the way of further developments with that.
“Tyler Adams was the one that became clear first thing that seems like it’s at the point of him starting to move.”
Flat
Players leaving before any more come in is not what supporters, or Farke, will want to see but that appears to be on the cards currently.
Chelsea have surged ahead in the race to sign Adams in what would come as a significant blow to the manager and the 49ers.
That sale would push central midfield right back up the list of priorities where central defence is arguably number one currently.
Wober’s departure left a big hole at the back and Cooper’s injury, even if he doesn’t leave himself for Saudi Arabia, only makes the options thinner.
Charlie Cresswell looked good off the bench in relief but Pascal Struijk struggled, as did Leo Hjelde, although the Norwegian may be more comfortable in the middle than at left-back.
The links to Phillips have been kicking around for weeks now without obvious developments, but the pursuit of Chatzidiakos appeared to have been stepped up in the wake of the developments at Elland Road on Sunday.
He would be a lot cheaper than Phillips but doesn’t have experience in English football, although he did make it to the Europa Conference League semi-final last season before losing to eventual winners West Ham.
A centre-back looks like it is needed as soon as possible, but based on Hay’s update it doesn’t sound especially imminent, so may be waiting on cash to come in from an Adams sale to get done.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are now “keen” to sign a Premier League striker who will only cost a “small fee” and wants to move.